HBA-LCA H.B. 2285 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2285
By: Woolley
Public Education
3/22/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the law does not require an English proficiency test as part of
its accountability system for academic performance in public schools.  In
1995, the 74th Texas Legislature required the Texas Education Agency (TEA)
to develop an assessment system to measure the progress of students of
limited English proficiency, who are eligible for exemption from taking the
TAAS test under Chapter 39, Education Code.  

H.B. 2285 requires assessment in Spanish instruments, and requires that
students of limited English proficiency who are not yet taking TAAS take an
English proficiency test.  The test, developed by TEA, will provide a
baseline for measuring a student's growth in reading English, and will
allow for more effective tracking of the progress of students of limited
English proficiency. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 39.023(a), Education Code, by adding
Subdivisions (4) and (5), as follows: 

(4)  Requires that all students, except students assessed under Subsection
(b) or exempted under Section 39.027 (Exemption), be assessed in Spanish
instruments of tests required by this section, as determined by the
commissioner of education (commissioner). 

(5)  Requires that all students, except students assessed under Subsection
(b) or exempted under Section 39.027 (Exemption), be assessed in reading
proficiency with a test designed to measure the progress of
limited-English-proficient students. 

SECTION 2.  Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.